Which entity governs the Texas Department of Criminal Justice?

The Texas Board of Criminal Justice is the entity that governs the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). This Board is responsible for establishing the policies and overseeing the management of the department's operations, which include the prison system and the probation services in Texas. Members of the Board are appointed by the Texas Governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate, ensuring a system of checks and balances within the state’s correctional oversight.

The Board's authority allows it to set rules and regulations that guide the operations of the TDCJ, focusing on the care, custody, rehabilitation, and reintegration of offenders. This governance structure reflects a system that aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of corrections in Texas.

While the Texas Governor and the Texas Legislature play significant roles in the overall governance and funding of state agencies, they do not directly manage the day-to-day operations of the TDCJ. The Chief Warden, on the other hand, manages the specific operations of an individual facility within the TDCJ but does not have overarching governance over the entire department. This distinction highlights the specific role that the Texas Board of Criminal Justice fulfills in overseeing the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.